Robot Setup And Operation

After setting up the robot according to the detailed instructions in the Owner’s Manual or videotape and before beginning to play on the robot, please check the following points to be sure your robot is set up correctly. Figures and page numbers referred to in parentheses are in yourRobo-Pong 540/1040/2040 Owner’s Manual (8/02 version).

1. (See Figure 17, page 13.) Is the support flange of the robot body fitted securely onto the locating tab and fastened in place with the wing-nuts and clip washer?

2. Do you have the collection net and ball return trays unfolded and centered on the end of the table tennis table? Be careful not to let the net get entangled as you carefully let the trays down (2040 only). For the 1040 & 540, is the robot positioned at the center of the table's endline?

3. (See Step 5, page 2 and either Step 8, page 3 or Step 6, page 4.) Have you run the connector cable from the robot to the control box? It’s a good idea to drape this cable over the net post on your table to keep it off the floor and prevent damage by stepping on it.

4. Have you plugged the pin of the transformer into the control box and connected the other end to an electrical outlet? Please make sure the cord lies flat on the floor to prevent anyone from tripping on it. Use a UL approved extension cord if necessary.

5. (See Figure 15, page 12.) Have you positioned the control box on the side of the table nearest your end? If right handed, place the controls at your left corner. If left handed, place the control box at the right corner. This will allow you to use your free hand to adjust the controls or turn the unit on or off while continuing to return balls back into the collection net with the racket in your other hand.

6. (See Figure 7, page 8.) Have you rotated the robot head so “topspin” is at the top and the cord to the head hangs freely, not wrapped around the head?

7. (See Figure 5, page 7.) Have you loosened, then tightened the angle adjustment knob on the robot so the pointer is positioned to the letter “C”?

8. (See Figure 9, page 9.) Have you positioned the oscillator control levers at the number 3 and 4 positions so the robot head is free to sweep the entire width of the table (1040/2040 only)?

9. Have you placed enough balls into the ball return trays or ball bucket? Optimum amount for 540 is 85, 1040 is 190, and 2040 is 120(40mm balls). Verify that you are using Newgy balls or a USATT or ITTF approved ball. Avoid unapproved balls as they can cause erratic ball feed and ball bounce. As balls feed through the unit, weed out and replace any balls that are badly out of round, especially if they get stuck inside the robot.

If you suspect a ball is out of round and you have a 2040, check the roundness by inserting the ball through the hole in a ball dam that corresponds with the size of the ball (see Ball Dams, page 11). Once inserted, rotate the ball inside the hole. It should have equal clearance through the hole on all surfaces and it should barely fit through the hole without binding. It may also be possible that a ball is made too small. In this case, you will notice a considerable gap between the ball and the edge of the hole.

NOTE: If using brand new balls in your robot, be sure to wash the balls in soapy water before using. This removes the powder that is on the surface of a new ball. Failure to do so normally results in balls jamming and misfeeding. Dry the balls after washing and run them through the robot at top ball frequency to further "rub down" the balls. ?

10. Are all the balls the same size (either 38 or 40mm)? And are both Ball Size Switches set to the corresponding setting (see Photos 1 & 2, page 10)?

11. Adjust the knobs on the control box to these recommended settings.

     A. Turn ball speed to 2 and ball frequency and oscillator speed to 0.

     B. If power is off, turn power on. Then turn the oscillator speed to 3, leaving your finger and thumb on the knob.  (1040/2040 only)

     C. When the robot head sweeps to the middle of your forehand court, turn the oscillator speed to 0 to stop the sweeping action (1040/2040 only). For the 540, twist the robot so the head is aimed at the middle of the forehand court.

      D. Turn the ball frequency knob to 3 to give yourself an easy shot at medium speed to the middle of your forehand court.

After you are accustomed to these settings, proceed to change the settings on the control box to get the response you want. (One side note about suggested control settings—all settings given are estimates. Settings vary from robot to robot so you may need to slightly adjust settings from the ones suggested.)

There are two instances when the setting of one control directly influences how another control is set. The first instance is selecting the correct head angle. When the robot is set to deliver the ball onto the player’s side of the table first, the head angle is decreased as the ball speed is increased to prevent the ball from being
thrown off the end of the table or delivered too high (see Figures A and B below).

When the robot is set to serve onto its side of the table first, the head angle should be adjusted so the trajectory of the ball is flat and the ball stays low to the net. The ball speed must be kept below 3–4; otherwise, the ball is delivered off the player’s end of the table (below). If higher ball speeds are desired, you must set the head angle so the ball is delivered onto the player’s side of the table first.

The second instance is setting the oscillator speed. When you turn on the oscillator speed, you need to take into consideration the ball frequency and oscillator range settings. Before turning on the oscillator speed, set the frequency and range controls to your desired settings. Then experiment with the oscillator speed control to obtain good spacing between two consecutive balls.(See Figure E below.) If the oscillator speed is not set correctly, consecutive balls will land too close to one another, nullifying most of the benefits of oscillation. (See Figure F, below.)



Once your robot is set-up correctly, you need to make sure your playing space and equipment is also ready. For your own satisfaction and enjoyment, please make sure your playing area is clean and free of objects that table tennis balls can hide under or inside of. Also be sure to allow yourself plenty of room at your end of the table so you have a feeling of unrestricted movement. You don’t want to ram your racket into the wall when you obliterate the ball with your forehand smash!

After you finish using the robot, for safety reasons, unplug the transformer. When you’re ready to take the robot off the table, follow the take down instructions on pages 16–17 in your Owner’s Manual (2040 only). If you have the optional Robo-Tote carrying case, place your 2040 in the case to protect it from dust and dirt and make it easier to transport. Robo-Pong was designed to be easy to take down, store, and transport.

If you don't have a Robo-Tote, be careful not to pick up the robot by the rubber Tray Strap. It was designed to only hold the two trays together, not to support the full weight of the robot. If you want to carry the robot by the strap, order the inexpensive Carrying Strap, which is much sturdier and can support the weight of the robot.